More than 300 lives lost in unprecedented floods in Kerala

No one has seen such a deluge in over 100 years in Kerala. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the flood affected area on Saturday morning. He sanctioned Rs 500 crore flood relief for the disaster-struck state.

The death toll in the unprecedented flood in Kerala has reached 324. The toll has been rising alarmingly. From 173 fatalities till 8 August, the number rose dramatically when just in one day, on 16 August, 106 lives were lost.

Apart from the loss of lives, the state has also sustained material losses to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state on Saturday. He reached Kochi and surveyed the flood-affected area aerially. He immediately announced emergency aid of Rs 500 crore. This aid comes in addition to the Rs 100 crore sanctioned by the Prime Minister's Office earlier. Next of kin to those who have died in the flood will get compensation of Rs 2 lakh and those injured seriously will get Rs 50,000.

In Kerala, I took stock of the situation arising in the wake of the devastating floods across the state.

Joined a review meeting and undertook an aerial survey to assess the damage caused by flooding.

This deluge, said to be the worst in 100 years, has affected 12 of the 14 districts of Kerala. All except two districts of Kerala are on red alert. Kochi airport has been closed till 26 August because of flooding. The Indian Navy has proposed to open the Naval flying strip at Kochi for civil aviation as well.

The floods have rendered 70,000 families homeless. More than 3.14 lakh people are affected. They are seeking shelter in relief camps. More than 2,094 relief camps have been set up.

The Indian Air Force has deployed 22 aircraft for rescue missions. The Indian Army is conducting rescue missions using boats. Thirty-nine teams of the NDRF have already been deployed and another 14 teams are being sent. Three Coast Guard vessels are also helping in rescue operations. The Indian Railways have distributed 1.2 lakh bottles of drinking water among the flood-affected population.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sent out an appeal for donations to help the devastated state. The state government has released the bank account number for the Chief Minister Emergency Relief Fund and people can send the donations directly to this account.

For the people of Kerala, the road to recovery is going to be a long one. Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy. Donate to:

Aid has been pouring in from international agencies as well. United Arab Emirate has set up a National Emergency Committee to help the flood-affected people. The Sultan of Oman has also directed the Royal Oman Air Force to leave for Trivandrum with food, water and other relief material.